arrange pickets in constructing a 1-1-1 and a 3-2-1combination picket holdfast.In constructing the 1-1-1 combination (fig. 6-46),drive three single pickets about 3 feet into the ground,3 to 6 feet apart, and in line with the guy. For a 3-2-1combination, drive a group of three pickets into theground, lashing them together before you secure theguy to them. The group of two lashed pickets followsthe first group, 3 to 6 feet apart, and is followed by asingle picket. The 1-1-1 combination can stand a pullof about 1,800 pounds, while the 3-2-1 combinationcan stand as much as 4,000 pounds.The pickets grouped and lashed together, PLUSthe use of small stuff secured onto every pair ofpickets, are what make the combination picketholdfasts much stronger than the single holdfasts.The reason for grouping and lashing the firstcluster of pickets together is to reinforce the pointwhere the pull is the greatest. The way small stuff linkseach picket to the next is what divides the force of pull,so the first picket does not have to withstand all of thestrain. Using 12- to 15-thread small stuff, clove hitchit to the top of the first picket. Then take about four tosix turns around the first and second pickets, goingfrom the bottom of the second to the top of the firstpicket. Repeat this with more small stuff from thesecond to the third picket, and so on, until the lastpicket has been secured. After this, pass a stakebetween the turns of small stuff, between EACH pairof pickets, and then make the small stuff taut bytwisting it with the stake. Now, drive the stake into theground.If you are going to use a picket holdfast for severaldays, it is best to use galvanized guy wire in place ofthe small stuff. Rain will not affect galvanized guywire, but it will cause small stuff to shrink. If the smallstuff is already taut, it could break from overstrain.Figure 6-46.Preparing a 1-1-1 picket holdfast.6-25